Change product key in windows server 2012 or windows 8

While playing around with some freshly installed Windows Server 2012 machines I wanted to Activate Windows, so clicked the appropriate option and it gave me an error. Had not yet entered a key, but saw that the activation wizard seemed to think I had a key (it displays the last few characters of the key). If you wanted to change the product key in previous versions there simply was a button for that with the activation wizard. That is gone now in Windows 2012 and Windows 8.

After a little search I found the first method and after a little more searching I found a KB article talking about this and other methods.

since 130 day we are using win Server 2012 Standard "Evaluation Version" as Server + Domain Controller .
We bought a Produkt key wanted Change from test Version key to legal key. It doesnt work and prompt: please run Windows Setup !!..
On Microsoft site i read dc must be deinstalled , Change Produkt key and then reinstall DC !!!.
It is teribble we have only 50 days and no solution yet. Because testversion is running only 180 days ... Do you have any idea how to Change the product key ?

Hi Hans,
I have not checked that yet, but if a Microsoft site says that this can only be done while the machine is not a domain controller than thats the thing to do. Or.. add a second machine with the right key and such and promote that to a domain controller, transfer all the roles it has (FSMO roles, GC, DNS, DHCP perhaps..), and demote and remove the old box. (I know this is easier when running virtual machines than when running this on physical hardware).

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This blog is run by Bob Cornelissen, a System Center enthousiast for a number of years now and managing consultant for BICTT. I work daily with SCOM in designing, implementing, configuring and extending this great product. Also I work with SCVMM, SCDPM, SCE, SCSM, Forefront products and a lot of MS Server technologies.I was very honored to receive the MVP award in 2012 + 2013 + 2014 and the MCC award in 2011 + 2012 for SCOM and System Center. Author of the Mastering SCOM 2012 book.
Also blogging here:Ivan Hadzhiyski - A System Center specialist from Bulgaria specialising in SCCM and SCOM and writer on the Mastering SCOM 2012 team.